PITTSBURGH -- Former Senators goalie Ray Emery could be closing in on a return to the NHL in the City of Brotherly Love.

League sources say the Philadelphia Flyers are close to signing Emery, who spent last year with Atlant Mystischi in the Kontinental Hockey League. Emery has a chance to be the Flyers' No. 1 goalie.

"We had conversations with his agent, J.P. Barry, about a lot of things," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "But I'm not going to comment on our internal discussions of players."

Barry said talks have been extensive.

"I've had several discussions with Paul Holmgren. We're going to continue discussions," he said.

Senators GM Bryan Murray said Emery is worthy of another opportunity after being bought out following the 2008 campaign.

"Maybe Ray going to Russia was a good experience for him and maybe he wants to come back now and be a real solid pro. I don't know why Ray got out of whack the way he did. He went to Russia, and from what I understand, he had a very good year. He's young. He certainly has the ability."

Get headshots out

In the wake of the GMs' failure to reach consensus on headshots, NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly said the players will push for stricter penalties. "The association feels we need to do a better job protecting our players," he said. "This notion that we are trying to take hitting out of the game or aggressiveness out of the game, that's not it at all. I would think some of these GMs would feel an obligation to protect their players." Kelly addressed the Phoenix Coyotes' situation. "We want to see that franchise in a location where it can thrive. If that's Phoenix with new management, we'll see. I think that's a daunting challenge. If that's in one of the great cities in Canada, maybe that's the answer."